HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Oct. 19, 2004 John Kerry was scheduled to address the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Boston on June 27, 2004. Boston Police had been at an impasse on labor disputes for over two years. On June 26, John Kerry told the Boston Globe, "I don't cross picket lines. I never have". Kerry refused to cross the picket line. In less than a month the Boston Police had a contract they liked. On October 19, 2004 John Kerry's motorcade crossed two Police picket lines in Orlando, Florida. Kerry was enroute to a get-out-the-vote rally. Kerry aides said the demonstration, by Orlando Police Officers of the Fraternal Order of Police Local 25, was sprung on the campaign without prior notification to embarrass the democratic Mayor of Orlando. The union is supposedly "Republican leaning". Kerry spokesman, David Wade, stated, "It was a surprise demonstration by an organization that supports President Bush". The Police Officers' contract expired October 1st. The union is seeking a larger pay raise than the city has offered. Officer Paul Bruning said the Union notified Democratic officials in Miami last week. Its intention was to picket Kerry at the Orlando airport and at the Barnett Park Recreation Center. Bruning stated, "It's not against John Kerry; it's our Mayor that's treating us poorly. Boston Police were at an impasse for 2 years, and after he refused to cross, they had a contract in 2 weeks". Labor Unions have been long-time strong supporters of the Democratic Party. I don't know how many times I've heard it said, "The Democratic Party is for the Working Man". As a Union Supporter, it is sacrilege to cross a picket line. Kerry has been accused of being a flip-flop artist by his critics. Kerry supporters deny the charge. "I don't cross picket lines. I never have". Kerry did not add, I never will. Now he has. Twice in one night. Kerry could have helped those Police Officers out. He didn't. How many of those Police Officers, their families, their friends, are undecided voters, wondering whether to vote for Kerry? He did nothing to win their votes. That's ironic, when his purpose in Orlando was to garner support. John Kerry has cast aside his principles once again. Does his support of Labor only extend to Democratic unions? In the debates he represented himself as a crusader for Law Enforcement. Is this how he backs up his words? I wonder how the spin doctors will explain this flip-flop. ------------ About the author Joseph Boudreau: I spent just under 24 years in the Navy, 9 on active duty, the rest in the Naval Reserves. From paygrade E-1 I advanced to paygrade O-4, and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Email: bunnyboggins@aol.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
